Another context in which sexual harassment claims arise is in the
schools. Claims of sexual harassment have been brought at every level
of education, from elementary schools through universities.

LAWS PROHIBITING SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN EDUCATION

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal statute that
prohibits educational programs or activities that receive federal funds
from discriminating on the basis of sex. The vast majority of educational
institutions in the United States, including primary and secondary
schools and colleges and universities, receive federal funds. Some
schools receive the funds through direct grants; others receive the funds
indirectly, through the federal student loan program. Consequently, the
vast majority of educational institutions in the United States are prohibited from engaging in sex discrimination under Title IX.

Although it does not specifically mention sexual harassment, Title IX
has been interpreted to prohibit sexual harassment within educational
institutions. It has been construed consistently to protect students from
harassment by teachers and administrators. There is some dispute,
however, among courts as to whether it makes the schools responsible
for any sexual harassment by a student's peers, considered later in
Documents 78-80.

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